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Third-Person Writing Tips?
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So please, if you know any, do tell! :)
With third person, the key thing to remember is "show not tell" - let us see the person doing things and saying things. However, if you're following one character, it's probably a good idea to put a slant on the writing that shows some of their views. For example, if one of them is dragged to a concert they really don't want to go to, describe the music the way they would see it (that is "the neverending droning of the notes was starting to give her a headache", or whatever.)
Thought interjections are also good - I use them in dialogue sometimes, if the character's thinking something to themselves when they're talking. For example.
"Hey, do you want to come swimming later?"
I'd sooner pull my toenails out with a pair of tweezers, she thought
"Sure!" she said. "What time?"
Okay, the sentences there are awful, but you get the idea...
Hope that helps!
The examples are great though. ;) Thanks.
For first person, it's pretty obvious. You're only going to write what the main character sees and feels.
With third person you have a few choices:
1) You can still follow one main character in which you only write what they see and feel. (Third Person Limited)
2) You can follow anyone you want, where ever the action takes you and show what everyone is feeling and seeing (Omniscient)
3) You can do the same as above, but leave out what people are thinking and feeling, so that it becomes more like a movie. (Third Person Objective)
Like Spook I'm more familiar with third person that first. But it's certainly fun to experiment and I've come to find that each story tends to develop it's own voice. (As will each characters)
I would suggest not going with Third Person All-knowing at first, atleast until you get used to writing in the third point of veiw. It can get very confusing writing everyone's thoughts down and keeping track of them.
Happy writing!! :)
And @Mommochi: thanks for the suggestion for not going with Third Person Omniscient. I might consider it but the story I'm planning to write after NaNo this year, will be about an alien invasion on Earth and such. It's going to center around the story and life of one of the invaders but I'm still going to try and show what's going on and how the other characters involved would feel. So when planning, I may have to use that type of third person.
I'm also reading a few books that use third person. Right now I'm reading Jaws, which uses Third Person Omniscient and the story goes well. Practice makes perfect. :) So I'm going to give it a try. But that's still about 2 months away so XD, I have time. :D
@Sei-chan: I do agree that third person restricts how much you can tie the story in with your character in relation with delving into their thoughts. I guess that's one of the reasons why I've always stuck to first person, it felt easiest. But I'm going to see how things go. ;)
Strangely i'm so used to third that I find I to be too personal. In fact my first attempt at using first, I did it in a diary style. :}
One in particular has come in handy many times.
Create an index card of the main characters - keep it visable as you write. You can add personality type, education level, goals, fears - basically anything you need to "do" to become the character. I even put in things I won't use - parents, country of origin, family customs...
Once I start writing - I add tidbits to the back of the index card - who have they interacted with - what were their thoughts or impressions of something (even if I didn't mention it)
If the words coming across on the keyboard - don't seem to be the words that would come out of the character, then they probably need to be rewritten.
Some characters I fall in love with - others I hate by the end of the story - frankly some I just find boring - and they no longer stay "main".
Hope this is a little helpful
I found myself redirected to this page as I'm starting to write a story that's going to be purely Third Person (Omniscient) and all your tips will help me. Thanks for the contribution guys!